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The good, the bad and the buggy: Life in a studio apartment


When I learned that I got into PA school and would need to move to campus for the summer, I knew I needed my short-term living situation to accomplish a few things: I needed parking, I needed to be able to bring my dog Milo with me, it needed to be affordable, and I really didn't want to live with any roommates. 

When a studio apartment sublet meeting all my needs showed up in an online listing, I knew I needed to jump on it. Since she had other interested people coming that weekend, I hopped in the car after work and drove the hour and a half to the apartment so I could see it and snag it for myself! 

Since I was living in a 3-bedroom house, I was a little nervous about moving into a studio! I joked that it was going to be minimalist living for the summer. So now that I've been here for almost 12 weeks, what's my assessment? 


I've actually really liked it! The small space is cozy. I love the high ceilings and hardwood floors, I can clean it in no time, and since it's a small space, there's fewer distractions! And I really don't know how to describe it ... but there's something so comforting and easy and low-key about a small space of my own. I think I'm actually really going to miss it!

Milo's favorite spot!

With that said, I've developed a long list of things that haven't exactly lived up to my expectations:

  • Everyone in my building is an early bird. This turned out to be fine since I get up early, too, but at first I was hearing the sound of distant iPhone alarms in the morning. Not cool.
  • Yes, the apartment takes 15 minutes to clean. But it seems to take only about 15 minutes to get messy! And my goodness, Milo and I shed like crazy ... not cool. 
  • The large garbage and recycling containers are right outside my kitchen window (which is feet from my bed, cuz, studio) and the garbage/recycling guys often come at like 5:30am to collect. Not cool.
  • I saw my first (and second) cockroaches ever. In my kitchen. (Excuse me while I Lysol everything. Twice). Not cool. 
  • In general, bugs were a persistent problem, actually. First, I had a swarm of flying bugs enter my apartment when I went to take Milo out one night. Like, a literal huge swarm of bugs made a happy home in my place. Not cool.
  • Fruit flies. So. Many. Fruit flies. (Pro tip: Put out a little dish of soapy water with some apple cider vinegar in it to catch 'em). Not cool. 
  • Old school fuses. One night, I was using the microwave and the air conditioner at the same time and blew a fuse. Fun fact, in a house this old, the fuses aren't switches. They're these screw-in things. And good luck getting a hold of the landlord about that on a Friday night. Not cool. 
  • Since this appears to be an old converted house, I'm like 90% sure my kitchen was a closet at one time. It's seriously that small. So there's only a mini fridge. The first fridge I had was like 25% ice and didn't seem to be keeping anything cold enough (not sure how that works but it was true!). So I had to get it replaced and throw out a whole bunch of food because of it. Not cool. 

The tiny closet-like thing on the right side? That's the kitchen. Yikes!


But in all seriousness, I've loved my time here at the university and in this tiny, cozy studio apartment. This whole summer has been such a wonderful experience -- having my dream of PA school realized, working my butt off to survive anatomy, making amazing new friends -- and I've made memories I won't soon forget. I can't believe it's coming to an end and I'm going to have to say goodbye soon!

I've decided I need to live near a lake! Too beautiful. 

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